HANNOVER, GERMANY -- Ligna Hannover 2011, the world's largest woodworking machinery exhibition, registered a 13% gain in attendance, with more than 90,000 wood industry professionals passing through the turnstiles, according to the Deutsche Messe, the fair's organizer.

Attendance from abroad increased 26% for Ligna 2011, held May 30-June 3 at the Hannover Fairgrounds, compared to Ligna 2009. Visitors came from a total of 90 nations, with major increases in the case of Russia, Finland, the United Kingdom, Austria and Sweden. Attendance was also up from the United States and The Netherlands, fair organizers said.

Ligna 2011 featured 1,765 exhibitors from 52 nations spread over more than 130,000 net square meters (1.4 million square feet) of space.

"The LIGNA slogan 'Making more out of wood: innovative, efficient, trendsetting' proved persuasive for visitors and exhibitors alike," said Steven Kühne., member of the managing board of Deutsche Messe at the closing press conference.

Dr. Bernhard Dirr, managing director of the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers' Association within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), said, "This has been an excellent event, with participants from every segment of the industry indicating they were pleased or very pleased with the outcome of the show. Visitor turnout from abroad was outstanding, and Ligna has delivered on the high expectations placed on it as a flagship fair of global standing...  As expected, resource-saving technology was a major issue, confirming the special attention we awarded this topic."

Ligna Hannover 2013 is scheduled for May 6-10 in Hannover, Germany.

More Ligna 2011 coverage:
Blog: Ligna: The World's Crossroads of Woodworking Technology (posted 6-6-11)

Ligna tech trends key on energy efficiency and flexibility (posted 6-1-11)

Posted by Rich Christianson